Decembers Offerings so far.....

Hamsa Hand, pen and ink, based on beautiful henna designs

Aztec Queen, Pen and Ink, based on a sculpture on view at the British Museum

Bird Woman, pen and ink, based on an ancient Persian clay sculpture on view at the British Museum

Kokopelli, pen and ink, based on the Native American God figure of the same name

Lotus Sutra, pen and ink, based on Nichiren Buddhist chanting

Tiki God, pen and ink, based on Tiki God carvings

I have been making some new work for the first time since Art on the Prom. Its been hard to get my hands used to drawing again but I think its gone pretty well.

Im working on some new images to put onto cards and possibly other bits and pieces like t-shirts and tote bags. For a change I have done some God figures not just my beloved Goddess figures. I dont feel as comfortable drawing Gods, as I feel little connection to them, but a couple of people convinced me to give it a go. I think however that I prefer my Goddesses and they will always be predominant in my work. I am ok with this.

Ganesh, pen and ink, based on the elephant headed Hindu God

Im planning on setting up my etsy shop again (and hopefully a folksy shop too) this winter to sell artwork, cards, etc and hope this will bring me a bit of extra income eventually.

Rowan, the Forest Spirit, pen and ink, actually inspired by an ancient Chinese shamanic statue I saw in the British Museum. But I made my figure female. I can see her running through the forest and hiding behind trees on scorching hot days.

I really like 'Rowan', I think she is my interpretation of a set of shamanic ideas and practices rather than being a somewhat more direct homage to the Goddess/God images I usually draw from.

Finally, I give to you my Yule drawing:

Shh... She's Asleep, pen and ink, based on the Pagan festival of Yule and how I feel about the Earth at this point in the cycle.

Hope you enjoy my new work!

Art on the Prom 2012

Here is me, looking windswept and chilly. With my little stall, with prints, originals and cards.

My partner Rob and some of my artwork on the fence.

 

My artwork became slightly wonky in the wind.

A close up of my cute art.

I had my stall at Art on the Prom yesterday. I was very nervous about it but it turned out to be less scary than I had imagined. I am starting to figure out who my audience is and how I want to continue with my work.
I met some really fab and sweet people. I got a lot of praise and interest in my work. So I got what I wanted from the day.
I am planning on creating a shop online for my work and would like to do more events in the future. I may try and apply for the St Peters St. market in November. Eeek. Now that would be scary. :)

x

More new paintings...

Phyllis; pen and ink, watercolour. 6 x 4 inches

Lola; pen and ink, watercolour, 11.5 x 9.5 inches

Pheonix; pen and ink, watercolour. 6 x 4 inches

Betty; pen and ink, watercolour. 10 x 8 inches

Roberta; pen and ink, watercolour.5.5 x 7.5 inches

Doris; pen and ink, watercolour. 10 x 8 inches

All of these images are framed originals for Art on the Prom, which is happening THIS Sunday. The 2nd September, on Felixstowe promenade. I will be selling prints, original artwork, cards and a cookery zine.

I hope to see you there!

x

Veggies!

The colours are not accurate. They are much more vibrant and awesome in real life.

Framed watercolour of Beetroot, Parsnip, Pea Pod, Garlic and Marrow. They are cute.

Mr. Beetroot - with an epic moustache.

The 3 Chillies - I kind of imagine that they are a 60's girl band like the Supremes.

This is a weird type of bean. They really are purple. I believe its a type of pea.

All these watercolours are tinted with tea to age the paper. They look lush. Next sunny day I will take some decent piccys.

I've been painting a little....

Well, colouring. My work needs more colour and I wanted to make some prints for Art on the Prom this year. Here is what I have done so far. The colours are not quite the same as in real life. I need to learn how to photograph these things properly.

I liked my lettering. :)

More to come soon..................

Bicycle Ball Banner - DONE (for now)

She turned out a bit wonky. But thats what happens when your brain has turned to mush (I have a very mushy brain at the moment). She is still pretty cute though. The colours are a lot more vibrant in reality.

As you can see, the banner is quite long and I added tassles, because tassles make everything better. I was going to add some embroidered decoration but have run out of time with it. I have to give it to the bicycle ball peeps today.  It hangs via some ties I added at the top of the banner. I believe there is a pagoda-y type thing in the garden of the brewery tap so I can hang it from that. The idea is to make a mini Bike Goddess Shrine in the garden for the event. Hope that works out.

The banner is mostly made out of materials I have been given or got in charity shops. I like making recycled art. 'Tis ace.

I want to work on it further after the ball. Its not quite finished in my eyes.

Bicycle Ball Artwork Progress

Yay! I have actually made a decision about what to make for the Bicycle Ball (http://bicycleball.com/). And, even more exciting, I have actually started making the damn thing. More yay!! The picture above is of the felt pieces I have cut out ready to make a Bicycle Goddess Banner.
     The story behind the ball is that the world has ended and the country has divided up into tribes, the Ipswich one is a bike worshipping tribe. So, a tribe like that might need a figurehead. And here she is. I based my image on ancient Goddess imagery and bicycle cogs/machinery. I liked her being cut out of black fabric 'cause it reminds me of bike inner tubing.
      I havent decided which pieces in my piles of fabric I am going to back it with. But I want to end up adding actual cogs and some cool fringing to it so it looks sumptuous. Hope it turns out as pretty as it is in my head.

:)

Doodles

I havent been totally idle and have made some little drawings. Here is a few I like and would like to develop further. Hopefully make them into some lino prints. That would be super cool, and to that end I have ordered some lino blocks so I can start carving.

Mushroom Family. I havent inked it yet, but so far I am enjoying it a lot. They look like little ladies wearing lovely sun hats.

Ceridwen: I saw some statues of this Goddess and I really wanted to draw a really round sensual version of her. She sits with her cauldron and the animals she can transform into. In case my drawing isnt clear, there is an otter, a hawk, a greyhound and a hen.

Ganesh: I dont often draw Gods, but Ganesh is so gorgeous I have to draw him every so often.

Bear: This is a super quick sketch. I have been a bit obsessed with Zuni Bears of late and wanted to make some more shamanic images.

Bike Goddess 1 & 2: Its the Bicycle Ball in Ipswich this month and I am trying to make some images to use in pieces of work to show in the exhibition space. Here are 2 of my drawings so far.

Lady Snail: A middle class Snail enjoying her cup of tea.

Peas in a Pod: I just like peas.

Zuni Bison Woman: again my fascination with Native American shamanism creates a rather odd drawing.

Just an odd bird lady and a snail.

I am quite enjoying the weird stuff thats coming out of my head at the moment. Its different to what I usually do and is entertaining me. I would appreciate constructive opinions though.

First forays

This is my first post on my new blog. I have created it to go with my new studio space and to publicise myself. I am beginning to make art again after a long absence, I felt quite stunted for a while and am trying to reinvigorate myself.

Here is my mini artist statement for your delectation:

My work explores feminine sensuality and the strength of the female form. I incorporate my study of womens spirituality, from various cultures and ages into my work and am heavily influenced by ancient Goddess sculptures and imagery. I use a variety of rich colours, textures and materials to invoke feelings within the viewer which connect them to our collective roots.

From top to bottom:

1. Venus Stretching

2.Venus Lounging

3. Venus Hiding

4. My first foray into what I am calling my 'paper patchworks'. This is a work in progress. Firstly its a collage and then it will be drawn/painted on.Wish me luck!

The first 3 images will be shown at Atrium Studio's first Annual Exhibition, which runs between the 2nd and 18th of April 2012. At the Waterfront Building of UCS in Ipswich, Suffolk.

http://www.atriumstudios.co.uk/